THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE

May 12, 2009

If You Forget Me- Pablo Neruda

I want you to knowone thing.

You know how this is:if I lookat the crystal moon, at the red branchof the slow autumn at my window,if I touchnear the firethe impalpable ashor the wrinkled body of the log,everything carries me to you,as if everything that exists,aromas, light, metals,were little boatsthat sailtoward those isles of yours that wait for me.

If suddenlyyou forget medo not look for me,for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,the wind of bannersthat passes through my life,and you decideto leave me at the shoreof the heart where I have roots,rememberthat on that day,at that hour,I shall lift my armsand my roots will set offto seek another land.

Butif each day,each hour,you feel that you are destined for mewith implacable sweetness,if each day a flowerclimbs up to your lips to seek me,ah my love, ah my own,in me all that fire is repeated,in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,my love feeds on your love, beloved,and as long as you live it will be in your armswithout leaving mine

March 03, 2009

February 21, 2009

Been seeing this thread on facebook, and having been tagged again and again, thought of doing my own pointers. But instead of publishing them on Facebook, I figured a blog would be a more appropriate place for this act of narcissism. After all this is my page, and if you're here and reading these, you can't complain about anything. (P.S. - Thanks for stopping by)

Here goes...

1) I once fell in love with someone who came as close to Howard Roark as is humanly possible. It was a brief affair lasting a few months. But something I cherish till date.

2) At the age of seven I wanted my own law firm in chicago ( don't know why chicago, that was probably the only foreign city I knew of then) , then over the years i forgot about my childhood dream and instead wanted to be an astronaut, archaeologist, journalist, children's right's activist, movie editor. In today's date I am back to my old rugged dream, but in Manhattan.

3) I once told my dad at dinner table about studying archaeology as my major in college. He stared at me blankly for a moment, then handed me a fork and asked me to go dig our garden. He told me if I find something there, he would sponsor my degree. I never picked up the topic again ;)

4) I have a strange obsession for egyptian history, and feel a previous birth connection.I sometimes think I was Cleopatra in my previous birth :P

5) I want to do shark water diving before I turn 25.

6) I have hated almost every moment spent in Cardiff. Its a dull rustic city, full of wannabe desis who know nothing about life beyond nightclubs.

7) I love art, and intend on having a beautiful artistic home where every piece of decor' would be handpicked by me from around the world.

8) From the age of 10-12 I had convinced myself of having water phobia and used to start screaming if taken more than three feet into the sea (when I already knew how to swim).

9) Music evokes the strongest emotions in me.

10) I don't follow conventions, and its not something i plan and do, its just something that happens to me all the time. I envy people with boring predictable lives, and hope someday I'll have that too.

11) I never think too much before taking risks, and never get too comfortable in one place. Whatever happens, face it :P

12) I've never regretted any decision I've ever made in matters of life.

13) I have regretted almost every decision I've ever made in matters of love.

14) I love the concept of relationships and have never had a fling, ever. I'm either in or out. Although, I have harmlessly flirted on numerous occasions.

15) The only truth of life I know of is, Karma. It always comes to bite you in the ass.

16) For me, a bunch of red roses would make a far more precious gift, than the most expensive diamond in the world. I have absolutely no value for materialistic things.

17) I don't identify with any religion, and I partly thank/blame my parents for this. If anyone knew my entire life history they would be astounded as to how I turned out normal.

18) I don't understand double standards, and am horrible at pretending. I'd rather say what's on my mind, and never see the person again.

19) I don't understand the concept of shopping therapy.

20) I do believe in 'Love is all you need'

21) Einstein pops into my head atleast once during a lazy day.

22) I once jumped off a moving train, and then back on, and then off again and then back on ( and so did my friend in another compartment). No it was not some sort of a game or a ridiculous new way of committing suicide. It was confusion led, but makes one of 'thee' most fun memories of my life.

23) I still idolize the old fashioned Mills and Boons man, who will sweep me off my feet. Vulgarity of any kind turns me off, completely.

24) I have studied in six different schools, and lived 7 different cities spread in 4 different countries. This alternates between being my strength and my weakness on different occasions.

25) I have a 30 second long attention span, when it comes to watching tv.

26) I love beatles to death since the age of 8.

27) My favorite festival in the whole wide world is Diwali.

28) I don't believe in destiny, and think its all about carving your own life. I'm not in the movie industry, so have no comments or opinions 'on luck'.

29) I think Malcolm Gladwell books should be made a compulsory read.

30) I tend to listen to the same song on repeat for days, until I (and people around me) get completely sick of it.

January 07, 2009

Hopefully this article will provide some clarification of the situation- and may provide interest reading for some that do not know about the recent events in detail. This situation is not about being one side being right and the other being wrong - ITS SO MUCH MORE COMPLICATED.

This was amazing procrastination btw!

The first paragraph is an introduction, 2 paragraphs are on the failings of Hamas- and how they have really been the catalysts for this war. The next one is on the reaction of Israel, and last couple are concluding remarks, including my own personal views on the solution.

My friend, Jonathan Hasson described the immediate build up quite nicely. Although I don't usually agree with his views, I did agree with him on this one. The situation was compared to that of 2 siblings. The younger brother would continuously poke the older brother, and the older brother would carry on warning the younger one to stop. One day the older brother lost it, and punched the younger one in the face.

Now don't all start jumping and raving, because what he said is true. Hamas' continued missile attacks into Israel are unacceptable- that's the bottom line. How would you feel if you were living in Israel and rockets were coming in at random times, to random places- with the possibility of one hitting you anytime. The world should be lucky that Hamas were using their pretty useless short range rockets, and so there weren't more casualties. The number of rockets fired tell a story- over 8700 rockets have hit Israel since 2000- over 1 million Israeli people live within striking distance of the rockets. I don't need to say more on that. I will get onto casualties in a bit, but it is not only casualties that should be considered- it is the potential for casualties as well. The potential for casualties due to Hamas' rockets is enormous- and Israel and their government, have the right to protect their people from this violent attack.

Let us now move onto Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organisation- plain and simple. No one can deny that, and if you do you are only kidding yourself. The atrocities they have caused are again- unacceptable. A history/political lesson for those of you that may not know. Hamas was founded in 1987, which was at the same time as the first Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Hamas are not here for peace. Their long term aim is for the establishment of an Islamic state on all of historic Palestine- which a lot of which is within the borders of Israel since 1948. Worse, their short term aim is to violence against all Israeli's in order to drive Israeli forces out of the occupied territories. Hamas and all its leaders were expelled by King Abdullah II- the group's HQ was closed down- and the majority of the leaders were then in Qatar, but won the Palestinian Autority legislative elections in the occupied territories in 2006. Hamas REFUSED to follow the Oslo accords- which was a US-sponsored peace process which oversaw the removal of Israeli occupation in return for the protection of Israeli security. Hamas PLEDGED to never to sign up to a permanent ceasefire while Israel occupies Palestinian territory and its troops are responsible for the deaths of Palestinians. Hamas still do not recognize Israel.

Separate to Hamas is the Palestinian Authority. It was formed in 1994, pursuant to the Oslo Accords between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the government of Israel. According to the Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority was designated to have control over both security-related and civilian issues in Palestinian urban areas (referred to as "Area A"), and only civilian control over Palestinian rural areas ("Area B"). The remainder of the territories, including Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley region, and bypass roads between Palestinian communities, were to remain under exclusive Israeli control ("Area C"). East Jerusalem was excluded from the Accords. The Palestinian authority was led by Mahmoud Abbas from 2005 (after Arafat), who deplored the use of rocket attacks against Israel, predicting what eventually happened. Abbas said that the rocket attacks although not causing harm to many civilians, will enrage Israel and cause them to strike against them. In March 2007 a Unity government was formed to govern Palestine, and consisted of members from Hamas, Fatah (who controlled PA) and other parties, but after Prime Minister Haniyeh denounced and failed to recognize Israel, and with Abbas believing there would be a Battle of Gaza, he himself dismissed the Hamas led government and declared a state of emergency. In June 2007 there was a clash of the Fatah and Hamas forces, with Hamas seizing control over most of the Gaza Strip and the PA governing the West Bank.

From this we can see 2 things. 1) Hamas is not here for long-term peace as this divulges against its main aims. 2) They are not afraid to kill innocent civilians if it means their goals would be met 3) There is internal-conflict within palestine and the occupied territories. THE VIEWS OF HAMAS ARE NOT THE VIEWS OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. The PA under Abbas is continuing to work for the peace of Palestine.

Israel deserved to provide its citizens protection- but I disagree in the way that it was carried out. In all wars, in all battles, it is the innocent that suffer. That is what we have learnt in the 20th century, and unfortunately, we're still learning today. However, I believe the days of "Si vis pacem, para bellum" can be gone, atleast against the innocent. I spoke of statistics in my first paragraph, the second one is even more chilling. Over 600 dead, 3000 injured, approximately 205 of the dead are children. We still seem to be in the age of an eye-for-an-eye, a tooth-for-a-tooth. For the thousands of missiles fired into Israel, Israel decided to hit back with air strikes, but with devastating consequences. Yes, they got a Hamas leader- but what are the implications of these air strikes? Israel have the capability to target buildings within 5m accuracy- this wasn't an operation to destroy buildings and bring Hamas down- this was a random array of bombings used to bring the Palestinian people to their knees. The culmination of this random barrage of rage came in the bombing of the UN school in Gaza. The reaction was therefore also unacceptable. If you want to bring Hamas down- bring them down- the world wouldn't weep their loss, but this aerial campaign has bought shame and blood on their hands. Hamas don't preach cooperation and democracy, but Israel does- and that should have been considered. The government and the forces just as bad as Hamas, and if we use that saying, and if we call Hamas terrorists, the Israeli government must be held under the same banner for this reason and this reason alone.

I would further like to say, that it is quite disgusting of the reaction of some people to this. This is not a simple yes to palestine and No to Israel, or vice verca. This is a war against people- innocent people- in order to gain a political advantage! This has been preached in the name of religion for too long. Both sides hold blame in this conflict- and the cuts and issues go deeper, some of which I discuss in the next paragraph. The fact is this: Hamas wants to control Israel, and will do so at any cost- the cost for Palestine has been the lives lost due to Israel's counterstrike- which itself was an unacceptable act. Peace is hard to come by in this situation- and for it to come, I believe that Hamas needs to go, and a peace treaty made. I have given some points on this treaty below.

I believe in a two-state solution. However, in regard to the disputed territories: I believe that the Gaza Strip should be under the control of Palestine, and the West Bank, minus the huge Jewish areas, should also be under the Palestinian control. I do not believe Jerusalem should be under the control of the Israeli's or the Palestinian's as both have been accused of damaging monuments of the other's religion when in control of the area. Jerusalem is inhabited by a significant amount of Jewish and Muslim civilians. I believe it should be under the control of UN forces, working in collaboration with the Israeli government and PA for the time being. I also believe that under UN Resolution 194, that Palestinian refugees do have a right to return to Israel. However, I also understand the concerns of Israel in regard to an influx of Palestinians. The problem is exacerbated by many non-Arab countries unwilling to provide citizenship to Palestinian refugees. I would wonder how many Palestinians would actually want to live in Israel? The solution I feel, is working with other Arab states to provide them citizenship in those countries. The right of return can be excercised if there is no alternative that provides equal benefits to the people.

I further believe that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza to be illegal, and feel that they are a roadblock in the development of peace. If Israeli communities wish to live in this area, I believe it should be discussed once a peace is achieved. In the peace treaty I feel that Israel should leave "Area B" under the Oslo agreement, and put in long term plans (around 10 years) to demobilize from Area C of this, and subsequent agreements.

March 03, 2008

(Post-inebriated conversation)Anjali (Asking punal's cousin kunal) : How did you come over when you camePunal (laughing hysterically) : What kinda fucked up english is thatAnjali : Okay wtv, i meant when you came over how did you come?Kunal (joining the laughter) : And that sound highly perverted tooAnjali : Uff! I'm just trying to find out what bleddy route did you take moron

Anjali : Pintu you don't know shit, prague is in EU.Priyank : Yaar if I was good at geography, then wouldn't I have become an Archaeologist

During Weekend Southall Shopping Trip :Anjali : Guys, can you wait a bit after we're done shopping, I need to go to the parlourPriyank : Arey, that reminds me, even i need to go for a haircutDalip : Then just go with anjPriyank : Dude she isn't going to a unisex parlourDalip : Don't worry, just go to the parlour and tell them, so what if you're not unisex - I am!

(Discussing pick up lines)Bhavuk - The best thing i like to do is just send a drink over to the girl's table!Punal (staring at bhav incredulously) - Abbe saale tu na James Bond nahin hai!!

(A song starts)

Anjali - Pleassseee change that songPunal (over-exaggerated tone) - You DONT like this song?Anjali - No man I love this song... just too much shit attached to it!Punal - Oh you wanna talk about it?You wanna share?You need a shoulder to cry on?Bhavuk - Now that's what I call a really tacky pick up line!

(Me packing my stuff from Bhavuk's House)Dee - Hey looks like you're going on a Holiday!Anjali (mumbling to herself) - i need to start crashing at my own place.... i need to start crashing at my own place...i need to start crashing at my own place..

January 16, 2008

January 12, 2008

You Who Never Arrived

You who never arrivedin my arms, Beloved, who were lostfrom the start,I don't even know what songswould please you. I have given up tryingto recognize you in the surging wave of the nextmoment. All the immenseimages in me-- the far-off, deeply-felt landscape,cities, towers, and bridges, and unsuspectedturns in the path,and those powerful lands that were oncepulsing with the life of the gods-all rise within me to meanyou, who forever elude me.

You, Beloved, who are allthe gardens I have ever gazed at,longing. An open windowin a country house--, and you almoststepped out, pensive, to meet me.Streets that I chanced upon,--you had just walked down them and vanished.And sometimes, in a shop, the mirrorswere still dizzy with your presence and, startled,gave back my too-sudden image. Who knows?perhaps the same bird echoed through both of usyesterday, separate, in the evening...

About Me

Lawyer by profession, dreamer by creation, hippie by choice.
A believer, and a doer. I hate predictability, and double standards. I believe in Karma, and giving my best to people. I am highly spiritual, and it's my biggest strength. I believe we all have a higher purpose behind our existence, but only a few of us are conscious enough to realize it. I know if you wrong me, the universe will take care of you. I forgive instantly, but I never forget.